Toilet training is one of the most difficult phases of toddler raising to deal with, regardless of whether this is your first baby or your fifth. When it comes to toilet training, every baby is different and takes their own sweet time in getting used to the potty. However, if you have been using a cloth nappy for your baby since they were born, studies have shown that children in cloth nappies may pick up on training faster than kids who are wrapped up in disposable nappies which draw all moisture from the skin.

Is potty training becoming a nightmare for you?

There has been little long-term research into toilet-training ages in Australia but research from the US and Europe shows that in the late '40s, toilet training was started at or before 18 months. By 2006, the age had risen to between 21 months and 36 months. In fact, a 2003 American study found that only half the children on which the survey was based had completed daytime toilet training by the age of three Usually, children feel ready to start potty training when they start getting aware of wetness. Before you start forcing your kid to start potty training, you have to look for signs which indicate that they ready. These signs include predictable bowel movements, staying dry for over two hours between a nappy change, being aware of wetness, developed language skills which allow them to understand what is being said to them, hiding when they are doing a bowel movement and holding their groin when they need to go to toilet. Cloth nappies can help kids get aware of the wetness earlier, prompting them to become more willing to respond to potty training. If you are using pocket nappies, you can add the inserts outside the pockets so that your child will feel that wetness straight away when the nappy gets soiled or wet. Warning! This may make the baby uncomfortable to some extent however it is exactly this that may force them to want to stay away from this uncomfortable feeling, making them more receptive to the training. The main reason why children using disposable nappies aren’t keen on training is because they feel comfortable with their nappies – all moisture is drawn away from their skin (including their own body oils!) As a result, the children stay comfortable and usually never pay much attention to when they feel like peeing since it isn’t a matter of concern to them – there is no uncomfortable sensation for them to resolve. For this reason, considering the use of cloth nappies for your children when you’re planning to start potty training could make all the difference to the process – for both of you! Happy Cloth Nappy-ing! The Team at Lavenderia